Prime Minister David Cameron has telephoned his Malaysian counterpart to offer Britain’s help in dealing with the disappearance of Flight MH370.

Mr Cameron also told Najib Razak that his thoughts were with the families of those who were on board the Malaysian Airways jet, which went missing on March 8 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

It was the first direct contact between the two prime ministers since the mystery began, said Mr Cameron’s official spokesman.

The spokesman said Mr Cameron did not make specific offers of particular military or civilian assistance that the UK might be able to provide.

“It was very much inviting any specific requests from the Malaysians,” he explained. “Prime Minister Najib said he would think about that and let us know if they have any specific requests.”

Mr Cameron wanted to “make clear his thoughts are particularly with all the relatives of those who were on board the missing flight” and to “offer any support which the Malaysian authorities might find helpful”, said the spokesman.

“Prime Minister Najib thanked him for that and they agreed to stay in touch on this issue.”